Earlier this week came reports that Reggie Mitchell had been granted his release and would transfer to Pittsburgh, and now CBS 47 Sports in Fresno is reporting junior college transfer Donnell Vercher has been denied admission and will instead play for Fresno State. Vercher spent last season at Fresno City College and had eight interceptions before committing to Wisconsin shortly before signing day.

Wisconsin only has one returning starter in its secondary this season, and now it's lost two potential starters in the last week. While Vercher was expected to compete for a starting job at safety, Mitchell had been starting at free safety for the Badgers this spring before deciding to transfer.

While Dezmen Southward is likely to hold on to his starting spot at strong safety, the competition for the other safety spot will likely be between Michael Trotter, T.J. Reynard and Jeff Lewis. Of those three Trotter has the most experience, as he started three games for the Badgers last season. Lewis was recently converted from running back and Reynard just signed with Wisconsin last month.

In other words, things may be a bit shaky on the back end of Wisconsin's defense when the season begins.